Project Description

Norway
Simo Christidi
Solberg & Hansen

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am 42 yrs old, married and, father of 2 beautiful kids. I have been in the coffee industry since 2004. All those years I have been working for Solberg & Hansen in Oslo. I am the head roaster and I am still learning.

How eid you get started in coffee?

I graduated as an automation engineer just in case you have any technical issues. Coffee appeared in my life quite unexpectingly but since then, those beautiful small beans have changed my life.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2012 World Coffee Roasting Challenge (først ever) – 1st Place 🙂

2005 & 2017 Norwegian Coffee Tasting Championship – 2nd Place

2017 Norwegian Coffee Roasting Championship – 1st Place

Nordic Roaster Championships (Team Solberg & Hansen)

What roaster do you currently roast on?

Probat G120, Probat Neptune 500, Loring Smart Roast Kestrel S35

How did you learn how to roast coffee?

I learned from the best school there is: Solberg & Hansen

What are your interests outside of coffee?

Basketball and football are my weekly activities, and I love the systems they use in basketball.  Beside that, I love to spend time with my family in Greece and I travel there as often as possible.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

Much wiser, older, and definitely working with coffee.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognise, or who helped you to prepare for the WCRC?

First of all my company, Solberg & Hansen, and all those incredible people that work with me daily, and all those who I’ve worked with in the past.

What are you excited to do while you are in Guangzhou?

I am looking forward to visit China because I love this country. But for the moment I am focused on winning this competition.

Facebook: simo.christidi

Instagram: simo_christidi